What do you do when you need a creative recharge? Oftentimes for me the best way is to make something just because – no deadlines, no events, no plans, just the joy of making a garment and giving myself full creative freedom.

This dress was inspired by several of the block print gowns in Napoleon and the Empire of Fashion. I wanted a simple yet fashionable everyday dress. Funny enough, I’ve had the fabric in my stash and idea in my head for this dress for nearly a year, but it wasn’t until after Williamsburg that I could actually start work on it.

I attempted a bib or apron front style for the first time. Not only is it practical because I can dress myself, but the style also allows a lot of room for adjustment, should my size change. To create the pattern I used my base regency block (originally a pattern from Period Costume for Stage and Screen), and the diagrams and drawings from Patterns of Fashion and Costume in Detail. The sleeve pattern was also from Period Costume for Stage and Screen.

The fabric is lightweight block printed cotton and the bodice is lined in cotton lawn, with the two front lining pieces in linen. The dress is mostly machine sewn with hand finishing. As with any dress that requires stays, it fits me much better than my dress form. Since I have no idea when I will get to wear this, I hope to fix my hair and makeup to do a proper photo shoot before too long. Really, I have to say this is my favorite regency dress I’ve ever made. It just feels right when I’m wearing it – like actually clothing rather than a costume.I cant wait to have an excuse to wear it all day.